Cystatin C is a cysteine protease inhibitor that plays a crucial role in regulating proteolytic activity in various physiological processes. It is a member of the cystatin superfamily and is known for its ability to inhibit cysteine proteases such as cathepsins. Cystatin C is widely used as a biomarker for kidney function and has been studied extensively in the context of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
The rat recombinant Cystatin C (sf9) is produced in Sf9 Baculovirus cells. This recombinant protein is a single, glycosylated polypeptide chain containing 128 amino acids (21-140a.a.) and has a molecular mass of approximately 14.3 kDa . The molecular size on SDS-PAGE appears at approximately 13.5-18 kDa .
Cystatin C is an important biomarker for renal function due to its consistent production rate and low molecular weight, which allows it to be freely filtered by the glomerulus. Unlike creatinine, Cystatin C levels are not significantly influenced by muscle mass, making it a more reliable indicator of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and kidney function .